Brad Pitt hopes for "World War Z" sequels

The actor envisions his new post-apocalyptic thriller - which is based on Max Brooks' 2006 novel of the same name - as the first movie in a franchise and hopes to reprise his role as protagonist Gerry Lane if it is a success.

Quizzed about a potential sequel at the film's world premiere at the Empire Cinema in London's Leicester Square on Sunday (02.06.13), he told BANG Showbiz: ''I think it lends itself to a couple of them. We've certainly got enough to mine from the book and enough to pick up, certainly, if this thing works.''

'World War Z' follows Pitt as a former United Nations employee who is tasked with finding the origin of a deadly virus which has plagued the world's population and turned humans into zombies.

The actor - who was accompanied on the red carpet by fiancée Angelina Jolie - says the blockbuster is ''intense'' and promises that the action doesn't ''let up''.

He said: ''These films have got to be fun. I'm just so thrilled with what I think we've achieved here, because we've really taken a genre and bent it, made it original, and we do not let up. It is so intense.''

Meanwhile, director Marc Forster believes his leading man was the ideal actor to star in the big budget movie because of his ability to play an ''everyman''.

He said: ''I couldn't ask for a better star, producer or actor than the icon. He's this wonderful everyman who ultimately becomes the reluctant hero, which I think is a fantastic art.''

Brad and Marc were joined on the red carpet by co-stars Mireille Enos and Daniella Kertesz.